Louis-Antoine d'Artois, Duke of Angoulême (1775-1844)

Created in 1825 by the Belgian artist François Kinson, this oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Louis-Antoine d'Artois, Duke of Angoulême. Although the work is dated to 1825, exhibition records indicate the painting was previously shown at the Salon of 1819, suggesting an earlier inception or revision period. The piece measures 275 cm in height and 181 cm in width and currently resides in the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles.

It is cataloged within the national collections under inventory numbers MV 4796, INV 5523, and LP 213. The work remains part of the permanent holdings of the museums of Versailles and Trianon.

The painting is held by the Musée national des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, specifically within the Museum of the History of France at the Palace of Versailles. Its inventory numbers are MV 4796, INV 5523, and LP 213, as recorded in the French national collections database (Joconde reference 000PE008467).

The work's documented exhibition history includes a showing at the Salon of 1819, according to Wikidata records for the painting.

Photographic credits for the work are attributed to Arnaudet and the Réunion des musées nationaux, with usage subject to authorization.

The portrait of the Duke of Angoulême by François Kinson, exhibited at the Salon of 1819, has been part of the Museum of the History of France collection at Versailles since its acquisition, ensuring its continued visibility within French cultural heritage. Its presence in public collections and scholarly references, including entries in the Joconde database, underscores its recognized significance as a historical portrait of a Bourbon prince.

The 1825 oil portrait by François Kinson presents Louis‑Antoine d’Artois, Duke of Angoulême, in a formal interior. The young prince is shown in a dark blue uniform adorned with gold buttons and medals, his left hand resting on a red curtain while he holds a map in his right. The composition balances the figure against a richly appointed backdrop that includes a large wall painting and an upholstered golden chair.

The portrait was executed shortly after the Bourbon Restoration, a time when the royal family sought to reaffirm its presence in French public life. By portraying the duke in naval attire, the painting reflects contemporary notions of military virtue and the restoration’s emphasis on traditional hierarchy and statecraft.